A recent Yahoo news article cited research by Graziadio professors Marshall Nickles and Nelson Granados on the influence of presidential elections, specifically those with incumbents, on the U.S. economy. "It is not surprising to see incumbent presidents push for votes by proposing tax reductions and or increasing spending on specific government programs as an election draws near," the researchers said, explaining why stock prices tend to raise during incumbent elections. "If policymakers are successful in exerting positive influences on the economy as elections approach, it should be logical to expect less volatility in the stock market." Read more.